Air duct cleaning has advanced significantly with new tools and equipment that take the process to a whole new level. These technology advancements allow for better removal of contaminants from your home’s ventilation system, improving indoor air quality and system efficiency.
Traditional methods use plain vacuum hoses to vacuum dust from the ductwork. However, many particles remain trapped deep within duct corners and may resurface over time. New methods and technology penetrate further to achieve a deeper, longer-lasting clean.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air Vacuums
HEPA vacuums greatly improve air duct cleaning by removing over 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns (Tischer, 2020). Consequently, they effectively remove dust, allergens, particulate matter and microscopic contaminants that linger using standard vacuums.
The more powerful suction created by HEPA filters penetrates duct crevices that traditional vacuums miss. Furthermore, ahead of standard vacuums, HEPA vacuums extract trapped contaminants in the vacuum’s collection bag, preventing them from reentering ducts during or after cleaning.
Heated Sanitizing Chemicals
Some companies now employ heated chemicals that sanitize and disinfect ductwork as they are vacuumed (Tischer, 2020). The heated chemicals kill bacteria, mold and allergens while loosening stubborn contaminants for thorough extraction.
For example, AtmosAir employs a heated chemical mist called IAQ System Restore that raises duct temperatures to 200°F for 30 minutes, killing microorganisms and volatilizing contaminants for easy removal by HEPA vacuums.
Robotic “Rovers”
New robotic devices wander through air ducts performing deeper cleans than handheld vacuums allow. Fitted with camera systems, wheels and brush attachments, the rovers vacuum, sweep and scrub corners and crevices.
The devices eliminate the need for technicians to dismantle ductwork, saving time and money on air duct cleaning jobs. Some versions autonomously traverse ducts based on preprogrammed routes.
In summary, newer tools and techniques for ductwork sanitization, including heated chemicals and robotic technologies, have substantially upgraded the air duct cleaning process. Contractors employing these advanced methods deliver deeper, more effective system cleans that translate to better indoor air quality.